Nancy Wahl
Georgetown,TX
Summary
Molecular plant biologist with experience in molecular assays and analytical tools that identified successful gene editing events or differential gene expression through the application of cloning CRISPR Cas9 or dCas9 with sgRNAs. Strong desire to improve crops through the use of biotechnology on plant genomes or transcriptomes. Organized and motivated employee eager to apply laboratory and organizational skills in various environments. Seeking new opportunities to expand skills while facilitating company growth.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
Postdoctoral Research Associate
University of Tennessee with CBI at ORNL
Knoxville, Tennessee
10.2023 - 12.2023
- Prepared constructs through Golden Gate cloning for gene editing for biofuel research on switchgrass.
- Transformed constructs into Agrobacterium to apply to switchgrass suspension cultures.
- Trained laboratory technician in media preparation, maintaining suspension cultures and evaluating their viability and transformation efficiency.
- Attended monthly lab meetings where progress was discussed among members of the research team.
Postdoctoral Research Associate
University of Tennessee
Knoxville, Tennessee
12.2020 - 09.2023
- Applied Golden Gate modular cloning to construct dCas9 expression vectors.
- Used gene editing software to design sgRNAs to target promoters.
- Applied vacuum and syringe infiltration of tobacco plants and protoplast assays to measure transient expression and analyzed results with SPSS.
- Supervised undergraduate student in her research project and provided guidance on experimental techniques and reporting.
- Searched pertinent scientific literature to support efforts with empirical data.
Postdoctoral Research Associate
Texas A&M University
College Station, TX
06.2018 - 05.2020
- Identified gene sequences in a variety of crops to target for gene editing with CRISPR Cas9.
- Utilized different gene editing software to design sgRNAs that targeted genes of interest.
- Cloned gene editing constructs into binary vectors in E coli and Agrobacterium for transformation into protoplasts, or undifferentiated plant cells.
- Reported to collaborators the successful editing of a starch transcription factor that was stably transformed into sorghum.
- Developed protocols for isolating protoplasts from a variety of crops that benefited graduate student research.
- Provided documentation for laboratory staff on the proper handling and application of the EchoRevolve microscope and associated software.
Soybean Breeding Co-op
Monsanto Co. (now Bayer)
Stonington, IL
05.2017 - 12.2017
- Performed retrospective analyses of soybean pipeline data using Excel and R functions.
- Organized traits with associated haplotypes of markers in commercial breeding program.
- Applied linear and logistic regression models in R for decision-making in selection of soybean lines.
- Conducted field evaluations of soybean lines for a variety of traits.
Graduate Research Assistant
Texas A&M University
College Station, TX
01.2014 - 12.2017
- Designed retrospective meta-analysis of yield and disease trait data on maize hybrids performed on site and multiple research stations in southern US.
- Published findings in peer-reviewed journal.
- Reviewed reporting of other graduate students on research submitted for publication.
- Applied RNA-seq analysis of differential gene expression to identify genes significantly associated with aflatoxin production in maize kernels at different maturities.
- Performed multiple analyses of data via Excel, JMP, SAS, Linux scripts, and R.
Education
Ph.D. - Plant Genetics
12-2017
Master of Science - Human Genetics
04-1983
Skills
- Research Methodologies : Golden Gate Cloning, E coli and Agrobacterium transformation, protoplasts and cell suspension culturing, fluorescence spectroscopy, PCR and qPCR, light and fluorescence microscopy, software for identification of effective sgRNAs with dCas9 and Cas9
- Mentoring: worked with graduate students developing protocols, technical writing for a poster
- Statistical analysis of data: most recent: SPSS Prior work: JMP/SAS, R, Excel, Linux scripting, Trinity platform
- Molecular software: most recent: SnapGene, CRISPRdirect Prior: Benchling, CRISPR-P, Clustal Omega
- Technical writing for research
Publications
Wahl, N., Murray, S.C., Isakeit, T., Krakowsky, M., Windham, G.L., Williams, W.P., Guo, B., Ni, X., Knoll, J., Xu, W., Scully, B., Mayfield, K., and Betran, J. Jan/Feb 2017. Identification of resistance to aflatoxin accumulation and yield potential in maize hybrids in the southeast regional aflatoxin trials (SERAT).Crop Sci. 57:202-215.
doi.org › 10.2135 › cropsci2016.06.0519
Sudip Biswas, Nancy J. Wahl, Michael J. Thomson, John M. Carson, Bill F. McCutchen, and Endang M. Septiningsih. Jan 2022. Optimization of Protoplast Isolation and Transformation for a Pilot Study of Genome Editing in Peanut by Targeting the Allergen Ara h 2. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23020837
Manuscript Published on bioRxiv
Wahl, N.J. , Murray, S.C., Zhang, H-B, Zhang, M., Dickens, C.M., and Isakeit, T.S. Maize kernel development stage the primary factor in differential gene expression in response to two methods of inoculation with Aspergillus flavus. bioRxiv 617241; doi.org/10.1101/617241
Timeline
Postdoctoral Research Associate - University of Tennessee with CBI at ORNL
10.2023 - 12.2023
Postdoctoral Research Associate - University of Tennessee
12.2020 - 09.2023
Postdoctoral Research Associate - Texas A&M University
06.2018 - 05.2020
Soybean Breeding Co-op - Monsanto Co. (now Bayer)
05.2017 - 12.2017
Graduate Research Assistant - Texas A&M University
01.2014 - 12.2017
Texas A&M University - Ph.D., Plant Genetics
University of Pittsburgh GSPH - Master of Science, Human Genetics
Similar Profiles
Beth JirikBeth Jirik
Senior Planner & Contracts Research Administrator at University of Tennessee (UTK) Contractor for the Tennessee Department of TransportationSenior Planner & Contracts Research Administrator at University of Tennessee (UTK) Contractor for the Tennessee Department of Transportation
Paul NewbyPaul Newby
Material Assistant at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, ORNLMaterial Assistant at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, ORNL
Whitney ColemanWhitney Coleman
Head Teller at ORNL FCUHead Teller at ORNL FCU
AMY THOMASAMY THOMAS
Executive Event Producer at ProcoreExecutive Event Producer at Procore
Rene TorresRene Torres
Field Engineer at Baker TriangleField Engineer at Baker Triangle